11 October 2020
10:30 | 
Posted by
Dr Platts |
This morning we assembled at 10 am for our Parish Eucharist in bright autumn sunshine, quite a contrast from last week! The Celebrant this morning was Father Roger, as Father Stephen is away celebrating his birthday, we all wish him many happy returns!
The Choir were again singing from the South Transept, masked and socially distanced. They sang Just as I am to the setting by Maunder during the offertory, and 3 short hymns. The setting was the Addington service by Richard Shephard. Father Roger discussed the gospel reading and the message it gives us to accept God's invitation but to prepare ourselves for appropriate behaviour! The message of the Gospel is challenging to all of us, laity and clergy, to live the life that Our Lord wants us to do, not necessarily what we want.
At the end Joanna played part of St Anne's Fugue by J S Bach.
We are still enjoying our wonderful Harvest Flowers.
Philippians 4:1-9
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Philippians.
My brothers and sisters,
whom I love and long for,
my joy and crown,
stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.
Yes, and I ask you also,
my loyal companion, help these women
for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel,
together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers,
whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always;
again will I say, Rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to everyone.
The Lord is near.
Do not worry about anything,
but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving,
let your requests be known to God.
And the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, beloved,
whatever is true, whatever is honourable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable.
if there is any excellence
and if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things.
Keep on doing the things that you have learned
and received and heard and seen in me,
And the God of peace will be with you.
Matthew 22:1-14
Hear the gospel of Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
Once more Jesus spoke to the chief priests and Pharisees in parables, saying:
“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king
who gave a wedding banquet for his son.
He sent his servants to call those
who had been invited to the wedding banquet
but they would not come.
Again he sent other slaves, saying
‘Tell those who have been invited
Look, I have prepared my dinner:
My oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered,
and everything is ready.
Come to the wedding banquet.’
“But they made light of it and went away,
one to his farm, another to his business.
While the rest seized his slaves,
maltreated them and killed them.
The king was enraged.
He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers
and burned their city.
“Then he said to his slaves,
‘The wedding is ready,
but those invited were not worthy.
Go therefore to the main streets
and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’
Those slaves went out into the streets
and gathered all whom they found, both the good and the bad,
and the wedding hall was filled with guests.
“But when the king came in to see the guests,
he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe.
and said to him,
‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?'
And he was speechless.
“Then the king told the attendants,
‘Bind him hand and foot,
and throw him into the outer darkness,
where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
“For many are called, but few are chosen."
